Eustace student wins Rotary
contestBy Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–An annual contest beginning at local Rotary clubs, and
ending much later down the line at Rotary International, gives students
a chance to win scholarship funds for school.
Two students participated in the local event at Friday’s weekly Rotary
Club of Cedar Creek Lake luncheon.
After hearing each student present their own essay, Rotary members
voted, judging the students in items that included clarity, delivery,
understanding and length of speech.
Camille Rogers of Eustace took home a $50 savings bond with her
explanation of how the Four-Way Test pertains to individual lives. She
will proceed to the district competition.
Trent Brown of Mabank also expanded on the Four-Way Test, talking about
how the steps are seen and explaining its relationship to his politics.
In other business, members:
• were reminded of the golf tournament planned for Friday, April 24, at
the Pinnacle Club.
• accepted Eric Gore as the newest club member.

Area students go to WashingtonAthens High School students witness
inauguration of President Barack Obama
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
ATHENS–Eleven high school students from Athens, along with their
government studies teacher, made the pilgrimage to the nation’s capitol
to witness firsthand Sen. Barack Obama take the oath of office for this
country’s highest post Jan. 19.
Saturday, they presented slides and impressions from their trip.
St. Stephen Anglican Church hosted a breakfast meeting for the students
and community.
Kenneth Hall Jr. related his secondary mission to attending was to meet
someone from all 50 states.
“I came pretty close. I remember the guy from Alaska was walking around
in shorts and didn’t seem cold at all,” Hall said.
Most astounding to the students was the large numbers of people gathered
without any ugly incidents.
“We heard there were 2 million people and no arrests. Everyone was
getting along pretty well,” one student said.
“It felt like the 60s. We’re all going to love each other,” Mattie
Griffin observed.
Though it was very crowded and people had to wake up in the middle of
the night to get into place by the time of the inauguration, it was as
if everyone knew that they were a part of history and felt glad to be
there.
“You know that we’re all jealous of you for getting to go,” one audience
member said.
“It made you proud to be an American. It was the most patriotic feeling
we ever felt before. It was like a huge pep rally. I can’t wait to get
to vote,” Alyssa Olson said.
What made the event historic and drew millions of people to Washington
D.C. this month was to share in the swearing in of America’s first black
president.
Though beginning his presidency in the midst of a global financial
crisis, Obama comes into office with a “wind at his back” approval to
meet the challenges.
Athens student Dyann Hopkins, 17, looks toward a hopeful future.
“I think it will be a lot better, now that he’s in office,” she said.
“Everyone is really excited about him as a leader,” she added.
“The high point was definitely his speech that we are all Americans,”
Hall said.
Shaun Julian was impressed during the prayer. “It was like being in the
biggest revival meeting ever. I never prayed with so many people
before.”
Athens teacher and former coach Jay Brown led the group of students, who
were part of a larger group from four different states as part of a
student tour planned by World Strides.
“It was amazing, just amazing,” Brown described.
Students boarded buses from their hotels at 4:30 a.m. to get within two
to three miles of the National Mall.
“It was very, very crowded, shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the
Mall,” he said.
Jumbo video screens brought the sights and sounds from the capitol steps
to the teeming, enthusiastic assembly in the 30-degree weather.
“It was a very electric experience,” Brown said.
Other students making the trip included Dyann Hopkins, Lauren Gillespie,
Brian Mitchell, Jake Smith, Kara Thompson, Bethany McElhany and Stephen
Scott.

Two bills nixed from paymentsTempleton Construction and Brinkley Sargent
bills go unpaid
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
ATHENS–Henderson County Commissioners cut two bills from the payment
list Tuesday.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence said he wasn’t “comfortable”
issuing payment to Templeton Construction, general contractor for the
jail expansion project, or a payment to Brinkley Sargent, hired to
provide commissioners with a facilities plan to meet the county’s growth
needs.
Templeton has been seeking a payment of $157,960.37. That amount would
nearly meet the maximum price bid for the complete project.
The bill from Brinkley Sargent totals $21,076.14. The Ginger Murchison
Foundation agreed to contribute up to $100,000 to fund a facilities
study including properties along the courthouse square in Athens.
“I don’t see why we should hold up the Brinkley Sergeant bill,” County
Judge David Holstein said.
“He is late in getting us a report of any kind. I am awful
disappointed,” Lawrence responded. “I was expecting a report of ‘you
need so many square feet, and this is where it ought to be, or this
department needs this or that.’”
“I will convey your comments,” Holstein said.
Subtracting the amounts of the two rejected bills, the commissioners
agreed to pay $127,181.88 from the 2008 budget, along with $154,597.07
from the current ’09 budget.
Under jail expansion issues, Precinct 2 Commissioner Wade McKinney noted
that his two-hour walk-through with Athens engineer Chris Weeks went a
long way toward reassuring him the county is “in good shape.”
Weeks is expected to present a full report on his analysis of the newly
expanded and remodeled jail’s structural integrity, and its likely
service life at next Tuesday’s regular meeting.
On a related subject, Sheriff Ray Nutt informed the commissioners that
ABK Food Service will be asking for an increase in their rates for
inmate meals.
In other business, commissioners:
• reappointed Charla Hendrix and Lee Tackett to two-year terms on the
Country Fair Park Board, and appointed new members Leroy Burch and
Charles Elliott.
• authorized county assistance to repair holes in the bus barn parking
lot at the LaPoynor Independent School District, located in Precinct 4.
• authorized inmate labor for the Interdenominational Ministerial
Alliance.
The IMA uses inmate labor several times during the year for the fall and
spring cleanup of Barker Cemetery, its Adopt-a-Street program, a
pre-Thanksgiving event and other community projects.
The group assured Nutt they could provide their own security of the
inmates, as stipulated in the county’s policy.
• accepted a check totaling $48,564 from XTO to repair CR 4151 in
Precinct 4.
• noted the courthouse dome has not leaked, following water tests and
the first rain.
Wharry Engineering replaced a lot of conduit and electric infrastructure
for the Christmas lighting, Holstein said.
“It’s the first time since I’ve been here that the dome hasn’t leaked,”
he added.
• approved payroll and budget amendments as presented.

Come Adopt
Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

My name is Nelson. I am a
beautiful male Dachshund. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. So far, I seem pretty laid back
and gentle. I am a wonderful boy looking for my new forever
home.

My name is Oreo. I am a beautiful
female black Lab. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. I seem to get along with other
dogs. I need help with leash training. I have been started on my
shots and need to be fixed. I am a beautiful girl looking for my
new home.

We are a whole litter of Shepherd
mix babies. We were brought to the shelter by animal control, so
we have no history. We have been started on our first set of
shots. We are good kids looking for our new forever homes.

I am a beautiful Border Collie,
who is four months old, or so. I was brought to the shelter by
animal control, so I have no history. I have not been at the
shelter long, so not much is known about me. I am a beautiful
kid looking for a new home.

Pictured are just a few
animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven
Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the
Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals.
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220
County Road 2403 in
Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422
after 11 a.m.
We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.